into the hands of Israel. Barak
was afraid and stated that he
would not go unless Deborah
went with him. Deborah was
not afraid to go to war because
she was sure of the word from
the Lord. She agreed to go but
informed Barak that he would
not have the honour eventually
because God would give it to
another, a woman and we see
this happen indeed. Jael, a
woman, killed Sisera and the
honour that should have been
Barak’s, God gave to her.
The Leadership
Lessons from the Life of
Deborah are;
1
Great women do not
allow fear stop them.
The two main women
mentioned in this story were not
afraid; Deborah was not afraid
to go to war, and Jael was not
afraid to kill Sisera. Barak was
a man and a trained soldier, but
he was afraid to go to war. Fear
has nothing to do with gender
and so if you are fearful it is not
because you are a woman, as
fear is not synonymous with
femininity.
2
Great women do not
make excuses. Too many
women use the excuse of
a husband and children to their
detriment.
3
Great women are not
afraid to speak the
truth. They say it as it is.
Deborah was not afraid to tell
Barak to prepare for war, and
she certainly was not afraid to
tell him that the honour would
go to another, a woman.
4
Great women are willing
to go beyond the call
of duty. When Deborah
accompanied Barak to battle,
she was going beyond the call
of duty. She was a judge not a
soldier and had no business
on the battlefield, but she
went because Barak asked and
because she knew it was the
only way he would agree to go
to war.
5
Great women speak from
a place of conviction.
They know, and they
are sure that they know before
they speak. It is for this reason
that they are not afraid to take
steps in line with their words.
Deborah was certain that God
would give Israel victory, so
she wasn’t afraid to accompany
Barak to the war front if that
was what it took to convince
him.
6
Great women do what
is necessary to bring
victory to their team,
even if it means going beyond
the call of duty. Deborah
accompanied Barak to war
because it was necessary for
Israel’s victory.
7
Great women understand
that they have been
created by God to be
much more than a wife and
mother. They walk in their
God given purpose and can
fulfil destiny. It is possible for
a woman with a family to fulfil
the destiny God has for her and
so if you are not doing what
God created you to do it is not
because you have a family. Many
women once married abandon
their life purpose; you are
created by God to be more than
a wife and mother. Deborah was
the wife of Lapidoth, and I am
sure she was also a mother, but
that did not stop her from being
a national leader, a judge, and
a prophetess; and she was well
respected too as all Israel came
to her for judgement.
8
When a woman dares
to arise, and walk in her
purpose, her true power
is unleashed, and men have no
option but to respect her. They
know that no battle of life can
be won without her input. Barak
needed the presence of Deborah
as an assurance that the battle
would be won and that he would
return alive! If men disrespect
you, sister, you are not walking
in your God-given purpose.
When a woman walks in her
purpose, she does not have to
ask for respect and she does not
need to seek equality.
Women arise, you have more to
offer your world than being a
wife and a mother. There are too
many Deborah’s wasting away
and abusing the potentials that
have been loaded inside of them.
You are more than you think you
are, rise and take your place in
destiny.
DOZ Magazine | April 2017 | 13
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